A movement to support paid family leave is sweeping through the nation on both sides of the political aisle.

The reasons?

People across race, ethnicity and class recognize the moral and economic importance that giving heads of households the financial flexibility to handle their health-related situations — from the birth of a child, to the sickness of a parent, to their own medical needs.

Some employers and elected officials worry about the unintended costs and consequences of extending such benefits, but advocates say that having the stability that these benefits provide improve employee productivity, morale, and loyalty.

Jenya Cassidy, Executive Director of the California Work & Family Coalition writes that policymakers and activists can draw important lessons can be learned California, which passed the nation’s first family leave law in 2002. Among her kernels of advice:

· Diverse community organizations must be involved in the public outreach
· All workers have an equal right to time off when they need it most.
· It must be affordable for low-income workers

Cassidy was part of a recent online panel, organized by Law@theMargins, that discussed the current #paidleave movement and its importance the the future of our nation. Check out the full presentation below, which also included National Domestic Workers Alliance Special Projects Director Alicia Garza and Parent Voices Statewide Organizer Mary Ignatius.